Former teacher, lifelong resident, dies in accident

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Janet Badgero read more books the last two to three years than most people could ever imagine in their lifetime. She kept a log in a three-ring binder, because she found herself re-reading books, many of which were checked out at the library.

?She decided to keep track of what she read,? said son Bill Badgero. There were 2,226 entries, and that doesn?t include the five books she was working on at the time of her passing, Dec. 23, in a tragic two-vehicle accident along M-68 in Forest Township. Bill said she was going to visit a family member at Golden Beach Manor in Huron Beach, when her vehicle slid from the westbound lane into the path of an eastbound vehicle. The accident occurred just east of South Black River Road.

Badgero was transported to Cheboygan Memorial Hospital where the lifetime resident was pronounced dead. The driver of the other vehicle, Ralph Luis Moore Jr., 65, of Onaway, was transported to Petoskey with non-life threatening injuries, and released.

According to a Cheboygan County Sheriff?s Department press release, Badgero is believed to have lost control of her vehicle on the icy roadway.

The accident was a shock to the family, who were preparing to see each other for Christ

mas. Janet was going to travel with her daughter, Pamela, on Christmas Eve to Saginaw to see the newest addition to the family, her 16th great-grandchild. They were going to stop in Bay City, before returning home for another family gathering on Christmas Day.

?She was very friendly, bubbly, and really full of energy,? said Bill. She was born in Onaway to Bame and Luella Dean, March 1, 1926. She attended the County Normal School to learn the teaching trade and started her career at Tower School. She also taught at Waverly School, as well as Onaway Elementary School. She retried from the district in 1983.

When her husband, William passed away in 1983, ? she decided to stay in Onaway.? She remained active with the Onaway United Methodist Church and sang in the choir. She also was a member of the Smiling Circle Club, Onaway Veterans of Foreign of Wars 5857 Ladies Auxiliary, the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel and served as secretary for several terms for the Onaway Historical Society.